Hala Gasienicowa – Koscielec – Czarny Staw (Black Lake)
Difficulty Level: ***
Walking Time: 3h 20′ (5,6 km)
661m (2169ft)
533m (1749ft)
Climbing Features – NO
Highest Point: Koscielec – 2155m (7070ft) a. s. l
The distinctive pyramid that is Koscielec is one of the most famous peaks in the region of Dolina Gąsienicowa (Gasienicowa Valley).
Despite the lack of climbing aids, the trail is typically alpine in nature and in several places requires climbing skills in a challenging rocky terrain.
The expedition starts at the shelter along the black, green and yellow trails as described in the journey to Liliowe Pass. After about 20 minutes, the path reaches a fork, at which trails onto Kasprowy Wierch and Liliowe Pass split off. The path passes under the chairlift and after another 15 minutes leads to the bank of Zielony Staw (Green Lake), a lake situated at an altitude of 1674m. Zielony Staw covers almost 4 hectares of land and is the largest of the lakes located in the western branch of the Gasienicowa Valley. Slightly above , the black marked trail rises further onto Świnicka Przełęcz (Swinicka Pass), while to the left, the blue trail leads to Karb Pass.
Heading up to Karb, we pass the lake Kurtkowiec, in the middle of which there is the highest situated island in Poland, and on the right a small set of red lakes called Czerwone Stawki, which owe their colour and name to the iron ore contained within the surrounding rocks. Soon, we begin to climb the face of Mały Kościelec (Little Koscielec) covered in gravel. Behind us, an interesting view of Kasprowy Wierch along with a meteorological station and the upper station of the cable car. The end section of the approach is a series of small zigzags. After a half-hour walk up from Zielony Staw (Green Lake) we reach Karb Pass (1853m a.s.l). From the pass, we have a great view of Gasienicowa Valley and Czarny Staw, situated over 200m below. From the shelter “Murowaniec”, the trek takes less than 1.5 hours. We start to ascend, following the black trail to Koscielec, as the ‘pyramid’ rises impressively above us. Initially, the trail continues through the vast quantity of gravel. Overcoming the threshold involves navigating numerous steps and shelves in the rock, after which the trail continues up the north face of Koscielec, meandering from one edge to the other. In certain places, the trail leads across vast rocky slabs, on which you should take extra care in case of rain or ice. Just below the peak (2155m a.s.l.) the approach becomes trickier and involves some skillful climbing. The approach from Karb Pass takes approximately 45 – 50 minutes, and from the shelter, about 2 hours.
The summit is quite narrow but exposes a beautiful view of the valley lakes in Gasienicowa Valley, Kozi Wierch and Granaty, and in the direction of the Western Tatras, Giewont, Czerwone Wierchy and Kasprowy Wierch. Descent from Kościelec along the same route. From Karb Pass we can follow the same trail, or walk down to Czarny Staw along the ridge of Mały Kościelec, following a narrow, winding path which splits off to the right and down a steep slope through the mountain pine.
Heading down this way to the charmingly located Czarny Staw (1624m. asl) takes about 30 minutes. We return to the shelter in the opposite direction to that described in the trip to Zawrat Pass. The entire loop including back to the shelter should not take us more than 5 hours.
